Utah’s Statewide Fireworks Restrictions: What They Mean for Davis County This July

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued temporary statewide fireworks restrictions on Wednesday, June 25, through an executive order that responds to what fire officials are calling some of the most dangerous wildfire conditions in state history. The order runs through July 5 and lets cities, working with their local fire officials, designate areas where fireworks may still be used safely. State officials say they will evaluate conditions before deciding whether any restrictions are needed for the July 24 Pioneer Day holiday.

For Davis County families planning around the Fourth of July, here’s what it means.

What the order does

The executive order enables the state forester to restrict personal fireworks statewide for the Independence Day period, while allowing municipalities to designate specific legal areas in consultation with fire officials. Because the rules can differ from one city to the next, residents are encouraged to check their own city’s guidance before making plans.

Why now

Utah is in an extraordinary fire season. More than 141,000 acres have burned across the state so far in 2026 — a steep climb from the roughly 13,300 acres that had burned by June 17. State officials say more than 75 percent of this year’s wildfires have been human-caused.

“Nothing about this decision was easy,” Cox said. “But this year is different. We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before.”

Utah State Forester Jamie Barnes, who directs the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, described conditions the same way: “This is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory. Some of the fires we’ve responded to this year are behaving in ways veteran firefighters simply haven’t seen before.” Crews are battling several large wildfires, including the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver and the Iron Fire near Eureka.

What it means for Davis County

In a normal year, personal fireworks may only be discharged July 2–5 and July 22–25, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (extended to midnight on the Fourth and the 24th). Under the new emergency order, the July 2–5 window now defaults to no personal fireworks unless your city designates a legal area. The simplest path for local families is to check the latest guidance from Davis County Emergency Management and your city, and to consider attending a professional show this year, as fire officials have encouraged.

A few community-minded reminders for a dry summer:

• Keep dry grass, leaves, and debris cleared away from your home.
• Be careful with anything that throws a spark — grills, equipment, and cigarettes included.
• Report smoke or flames early; quick reporting helps crews respond.

Davis County has always looked out for its own, and a careful summer keeps our neighborhoods and open spaces safe for everyone.

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